Community Forums

Anubis · 07-14-2023, 12:45 PM

Hi all!

I'm the new owner of a travel trailer and it didn't come with a manual and the previous owner didn't know much about all of the switches, settings, etc. There are a lot of switches that I have no idea what they do - so I'm here to see if I can find some help!

Thank you!

MSHappyCampers · 07-14-2023, 12:52 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We’re sure glad you joined the gang here!

Congrats on the new rig! Most owners manuals are too generic to be much use anyway. You can write down the make and model of each individual system and Google for manuals. Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

tuffr2 · 07-14-2023, 02:55 PM

Agree with the above post.

You can use YouTube to find out about your trailer. Manuals are way to generic plus trailers are too dynamic to document from one year to the next.

Anubis · 07-14-2023, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the tips! I'm not familiar at all with RV's at this point - maybe if I get a few pictures of the switch banks you all could help me with ideas?

tuffr2 · 07-14-2023, 07:47 PM

All the switches should be labeled but, yes, if you post a few pictures with your questions someone can answered them probably. There are a few tricky switches like the water pump that I only turned on when I needed water From the fresh water tank. Using city water you do not need to use the water pump because the city water pressure will force water thru the system.

To recap - you have two water systems.
1. From your fresh water tank (need to use the water pump)
2. City water (the city water pressure pushes the water thru the system. Using a city water hook-up it bypasses your fresh water tank.

Yep - there is a lot to learn.

Anubis · 07-15-2023, 05:56 AM

Good info to know! At this point I'll be using the city water option.

I'll try and get those pics today if possible.

The only switch that's labeled so far is for the slide out. The rest are just switches.. I'll look closer as well - it's pretty easy to miss stuff if it's written really small.

Thanks!

Persistent · 07-15-2023, 09:33 AM

Many different RV's all use the same or similar built in appliances. Collect the make and model for each. Look up "make model manual" using Google Search or Duck Duck Go. Download or print the manuals.
Converter/Charger or Inverter/converter/charger
Inverter
Entertainment system
Water pump
Energy management system
Generator
Battery
A/C
Fan
Water heater
Refrigerator
Axles
etc.

Check this link out:
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/r-vi...al-509074.html

Anubis · 07-15-2023, 11:02 AM

Ok,

I checked out the switches again and was able to figure most of them out - including the water heater which had the "Atwood" symbol on it.

The tank heater switches were hidden by the slide when it's in, but both of those are labeled!

This leaves me with only 1 bank of switches that are unknown, and a thermal cutoff on the top of the AC unit that I need to find out a part number for a replacement part.

The images aren't loading correctly, so I'll just link them:

Here's the bank of switches - they're located directly on the left when you go in the main door - it looks like that's where a TV would sit:
http://www.eanubis.net/TravelTrailer...1 (Medium).jpg

and this is the thermal cutoff that sits on the compressor:
http://www.eanubis.net/TravelTrailer...6 (Medium).jpg

Sadly, the AC cover blew off on the way home and turned to dust, and I'm having some trouble locating the model of the unit or the compressor.

Anubis · 07-15-2023, 03:14 PM

I do know that the AC/Heat is a Dometic Duo-therm - and that's about it for now.

allenb12 · 07-15-2023, 05:23 PM

I am guessing they are light switches.

DR60 · 07-15-2023, 05:48 PM

If you don't connect with someone with your same setup You can either do the hunt and peck method where you turn on a switch and look for what it turns on, OR, you can get a line tracer and connect a radio signal to the load side of the switch and follow the signal to its devise. Home Depot sells a tracer called "Fox and Hound" for a good price. Good Luck DR

Anubis · 07-15-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenb12

I am guessing they are light switches.

I thought that too - oddly, each light fixture inside already has switches - I'll see what happens once I get the AC taken care of - I don't want any electric getting near that thing until I get it re-wired.

Maybe it's for external lights?

Anubis · 07-15-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR60

If you don't connect with someone with your same setup You can either do the hunt and peck method where you turn on a switch and look for what it turns on, OR, you can get a line tracer and connect a radio signal to the load side of the switch and follow the signal to its devise. Home Depot sells a tracer called "Fox and Hound" for a good price. Good Luck DR

Great tip! Thanks!

Anubis · 07-16-2023, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenb12

I am guessing they are light switches.

Ding! Ding! Ding! - you are correct! It seemed odd to me that there would be switches on the wall for lights that had switches on them already, but I guess you can just come in the door and light the place up all at once.

Thanks!